Hi everyone,
I've been rewatching The Return of the King and something keeps puzzling me. During The Two Towers, we see that Rohan is in serious trouble with Saruman's forces, but Gondor doesn’t seem to send any military support until the beacons are lit much later.
golf hit
Given their alliance and proximity, why didn’t Denethor act sooner? Was it purely due to pride and politics, or is there a deeper lore-based reason? Would earlier support from Gondor have changed the course of the war?

Curious to hear your thoughts — book fans and movie fans alike!

—ElanorRivendell